Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Who doesn’t want to be healthy? A person would rest, would exercise and would ensure that the right and proper diet is eaten. Everyone knows about the necessity of taking the much needed vitamins. We would often hear parent tell kids to take their vitamins in order to grow strong, tall and healthy. Pantothenic acid seems to be a very big word but it is nothing but your ordinary but much needed vitamin B5.

Vitamin B5 is a member or a part of the eight vitamins that is most commonly known as the vitamin B complex group of vitamins. Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid comes from the Greek word pantos which mean everywhere. True enough this vitamin is considered to be almost universal as it can be found in almost all kinds of food. Mushroom and cauliflower are excellent food sources of vitamin B5, and so are eggs, beef, brewer’s yeast, legumes, liver, corn, broccoli, corn, strawberries, saltwater fish, wheat bread and a lot, lot more. Inclusion of these foods in your diet would naturally provide you with energy as vitamin B5 would change carbohydrates and fats into energy. This will also ensure that healthy fats in your cells will be produced. Moreover, vitamin B5 helps in the secretion of hormones that supports the proper functioning of your adrenal glands therefore you will be able to enhance your ability to deal with stress. Additionally, vitamin B5 acts as the body’s first line of defense to fight allergies. It also maintains the health of the muscles, the skin and the nerves.

Studies conducted on patothenic acid shows that sufficient amount of this vitamin in the body will reduce aging as it impedes the formation of wrinkles and the changing of hair color to gray. Teenagers with acne problems should take note of this fact. Vitamin B5 stops excessive oil gland production that causes the eruption of pimples. This is the reason why vitamin B5 is often used as an ingredient in cosmetic products.

Patothenic acids are also used for the treatment of asthma, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), heart disease, candidiasis, respiratory disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, skin disorders and the healing of wounds. Vitamin B5 is also known for its efficacy to lessen the susceptibility to cold as well as other infections. Likewise vitamin B5 is taken to treat osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, hypoglycemia, vertigo, chronic fatigue, low blood pressure and obesity.

Patothenic acids are water soluble vitamins. This means that this very important vitamin needs to be taken daily to renew the supply of this essential nutrient that was excreted from the body through with the urine. Needless to say, eating vitamin B5 rich food is more advisable as it does not have any damaging side effects unlike taking supplements and any other prescription medications.

There are instances however when taking supplements is necessary. Some people would not get the sufficient amount of vitamins from their diet. Moreover, alcoholics and people suffering from diabetes are more prone to develop patothenic acid deficiency. Vitamin B5 supplements just like any other over the counter medications are easy to obtain. However, it would be wise to consult a doctor before buying these supplements so that the correct recommended daily allowance will be obtained.

Since patothenic acid’s main function is to change ingested carbohydrates and fats into energy, the most common vitamin B5 deficiency symptoms are chronic fatigue, muscle weakness and cramps that are manifested by tingling and numb hands and feet. Constipation, abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, neurological disorders, increased sensitivity to insulin (for diabetics), digestive problems, acne and retarded growth are additional symptoms of patothenic acid or vitamin B5 deficiency.

Last updated on Feb 13th, 2009 and filed under Vitamins and Minerals. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed